‘Baraat of Trees’ to Raise Awareness About Plantation: SS Banga

Faridabad: In a unique endeavor to raise environmental awareness, SS Banga, the renowned ‘Tree Man’ and CMD of Victora Industries, initiated a novel tradition on the birthday of, Daman Banga, the founder of Victora Life Foundation. To promote plantation, a ‘Baraat of Trees’ was organized involving employees at his factories in Sector 25 and 58, and students from Swami Dharmanand School in Faridabad’s Jhadsentli.

SS Banga explained that the aim was to raise awareness and enthusiasm for plantation. Instead of treating it as a mere formality, they celebrated it as a festival, with company employees and officials actively participating in the plantation drive. Visitors to the baraat were welcomed with tilak and turbans. Everyone carried a sapling and celebrated with drums and music.

Taran Dhanakhar, Chairman, and Geetaanjali Grover, Principal of Swami Dharmanand School shared that the school children were thrilled with SS Banga’s unique initiative of plantation and awareness. A festive atmosphere prevailed in the school since morning, with preparations for the welcome, including rangoli, turbans, and tilak. All the children and teachers participated in planting saplings while dancing to the rhythm of the drums. The students shared their experiences, expressing their excitement and pledging to care for the plants they planted.

In the evening, employees of Victora Industries Unit 2 in Sector 25, after finishing their duties, joined their Managing Director, ‘Tree Man’ SS Banga, and danced to the rhythm of the drums towards the Ranheda Kheda Baraat Ghar to plant saplings. The village elders were ready to welcome the procession with garlands. SS Banga and the villagers together planted five sacred trees (peepal, banyan, neem, amla, and ashoka) in the courtyard of the Baraat Ghar. The company employees planted 101 saplings of various species, including belpatra, jamun, peepal, banyan, neem, amla, and ashoka, around the Baraat Ghar.

Plantations was organized in all units of Victora Industries. Similar processions were held in all units of Victora Industries located in Faridabad Sector 58, Sector 25, Pune, and Gujarat, where everyone participated in planting saplings on the rooftops, parking areas, and vacant spaces of the factory, accompanied by drums and music. All pledged to protect the plants. This unique initiative and the tree procession were appreciated by various social organizations.